Both days, our morning fat bike rides included both intense snow (above photo) and intense sunshine. I took advantage of the sunny moments for photo opportunities.
Today, we met a nice hiker on the trail, and Shyla initially "hid" by hanging back and staying still. We called her, and she eventually came to us and had a fabulous time being petted by the hiker. Seeing her happiness while meeting a "stranger" today made me think that she's bouncing back.
I do find it tough to figure out the best strategy when a fearful phase hits Shyla. I know that she was so much more confident very recently, and then had a couple of meltdowns in town. That makes me believe that simply giving her a break from stress might solve it. Time will tell but it's looking good so far.
Mine doesn't get skittish, exactly, but she'll definitely regress into reactivity and/or shutting down under undue stress (and, weirdly, with a seasonal tendency). Friends sometimes wonder why I'm so careful not to over face her; this is why. In the moment, there doesn't seem to be a whole lot to be done beyond giving her a safe space and time to recover. I've had a lot of luck with building her confidence and expanding her comfort zone; what counts as "undue stress" now is light years beyond what counted a few years ago. And knowing, at this point, that a bad spell doesn't mean she's forever broken helps, too.
ReplyDeletePocket can be fearful. We live in an area where everyone is older and very friendly. She no longer hides behind me. It took a long time and she gets a little fearful around kids she does not know. You are doing a wonderful job with Shyla
ReplyDeleteWe've never had a fearful dog. Perhaps because we always got them as puppies and began socializing them to strangers as soon as their immunizations made it safe for them to be around others. I spent many hours taking them to parks and playgrounds to accustom the dogs to different types of people. And all of them went to puppy kindergarten and several followup obedience training classes. So I can't be of any help at all.
ReplyDeleteYou didn't have the opportunity to do any of these things with Shyla in her early life. But I do trust your own judgment and instincts in managing her fears. I know you are on the right track as these episodes become further and further apart. And it does seem they are over sooner as in the case of finally coming out to meet the hiker and having fun with a stranger.
And I know you are also aware of the chemistry and intense bond between R and Shyla and how that might be affecting her. Surely she understands that R is not himself and not doing all the activities he used to do. And that could contribute to the regression as well.
The White Dog Army is always a tremendous learning ground for momma. She has found that this type of regression is not unusual and that it is not always possible to figure out the trigger. So here is what she does...safety and reassurance first...LOTS of positive reconnection without training goal just emotional reinforcement...then stepping back to basics (go as far back as necessary to get confident responses most of the time)...then slowly move forward...the pace will progress and Shyla recovers her mojo and she will quickly at this point return to herselfness. But feed the neediness with empathy and reassurance...let her know it is ok and that you understand.
ReplyDeletePoor Shyla!!! I'm sorry she's having some fearful times! I have experienced regression with my dogs too. Zoe used to be a very confident dog and now we are just constantly dealing with anxiety. She used to go everywhere with me, we'd spend time several times a week training at the pet store and all sort of different parks and now we can't go to Petsmart without her turning bright pink and whining her head off. Phoenix has also regressed too. She used to be fine with little dogs and now it really just depends on the dog. She's okay as long as they don't run up on us and into her space bubble. What do I do? Sometimes I cry. No joke. Once that's done I dry my eyes and try to figure out what to do next. With Zoe there's not much I can do. We are giving her a smaller world. With Phoenix I keep trying to counter condition her as much as I can. Usually I do give Phoenix a cortisol break because if I continue pushing her she will have lose her mind and completely meltdown. I've experienced that enough to know that I absolutely want to avoid that.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure how the next few weeks are going to end up going. I've enrolled Phee in a second class at work so I'm not sure how she's going to handle it.
That first photo just made us laugh...
ReplyDeleteWe're with Bella, Roxy and Dui - we just LOVE you in that hat, Shyla!
ReplyDeleteEasy sometimes acts crazy when he feels uncomfy at some places... our vet said he needs more " social life" (he sadly meant not faceboot or twitter lol) so we try to take the country egg to town on sunday when the town is quiet and peaceful :o)
ReplyDeleteToby is usually skittish about new people, but once in a while he surprises me by liking someone instantly. And occasionally he shocks me by acting downright hostile to someone. I've learned over the years that he dislikes strangers wearing sunglasses or large hats, or carrying any kind of walking stick. It's still hard to predict what his reaction to friendly strangers will be. If Shyla gets over her fear and enjoys meeting someone new, that's a very good sign. Actually she reacts much like I do to meeting new people! :D
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like meeting the hiker was a real plus in reinforcing the positive and knocking down that fear
ReplyDeleteLily & Edward
Maggie has never full lost her fearful traits - oddly, it's not people she's afraid of, it's more enclosed spaces...so we try to give her lots of options and lots of space. There are games we play with her that she loves and it tends to overtake whatever fear she has.
ReplyDeleteI am doing some training with Cocoa. I do not know if her leash aggression is fear but I am thinking it is from the attacks. I think sometimes she hears or sees something that makes her feel like she needs to be protective but I am learning what that might be. Hope you have a wonderful day!!
ReplyDeleteShyla looks so cute with her hat on:) Lightning is terrified of bikes., I have yet to find a way to make him relax when he sees one, even if it is on the other side of the street.
ReplyDeleteMaggie has to really know a person or child before she relaxes around them and even then she will bark for a bit when they come to our house, she is anxious with strangers. stella rose
ReplyDeleteGuess who is fearful in my world? ME!! To every single person,, and it never gets betters. I understand Shyla
ReplyDeletelove
tweedles
I think you've got a real sensitivity for the "teachable moment," KB...like that meeting with the hiker and letting Shyla react but then giving her encouragement to turn it into a fabulously positive experience.
ReplyDeleteI've second-guessed myself a million times when it comes to dog-training, but sometimes I just feel okay to go with my gut. I'll bet YOUR gut-feeling is probably right on the money 99% of the time!
Can you pinpoint anything specific when she's in town? Like a busy intersection, a store with certain types of doors, a specific amount of people? If you can, that might be a clue as to what really causes her stress. If you could pinpoint it, you more than likely could come up with a plan to help her with it.
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